30 Chronicles of the Cape Fear River

sea, bound for Barbadoes; and on the 6th of February, 1663-4,
came to an anchor in Carlisle Bay—it having pleased God, after
several apparent dangers both by sea and land, to bring us all in
safety to our long-wished-for and much-desired port, to render
an account of our discovery, the verity of which we do assert.
Antuony Lone.
Wiii1am Hixton.
Perer Fapran.

CHARLESTOWN—THE FIRST ATTEMPTED SET-
TLEMENT ON THE CAPE FEAR.

The first trading on the Cape Fear River of which we have
any record was by a party of adventurers from Massachusetts
in the year 1660.

The historian Bryant says: “There were probably few bays
or rivers along the coast, from the Bay of Fundy to Florida,
unexplored by the New Englanders, where there was any prom-
ise of profitable trade with the Indians. The colonist followed
the trader wherever unclaimed lands were open to occupation.
These energetic pioneers explored the sounds and rivers south
of Virginia in pursuit of Indian traffic, and contrasted the
salubrity of the climate and the fertility of the soil with that
region of rocks where they made their homes, and where winter
reigns for more than half the year. In 1660 or 1661, a com-
pany of these men purchased of the natives and settled upon a
tract of land at the mouth of the Cape Fear River. Their first
purpose was apparently the raising of stock, as the country
seemed peculiarly fitted to grazing, and they brought a number
of neat cattle and swine to be allowed to feed at large under the
care of herdsmen. But they aimed at something more than this
nomadic occupation, and a company was formed in which a
number of adventurers in London were enlisted, to found a
permanent colony.”

The most authentic account of the first settlement on the river
states that about the time the New Englanders explored that
region, John Vassall and others at Barbadoes, purposing to make
a settlement on the coast of Virginia, sent out Capt. William
Hilton in his ship, the Adventurer, to explore the coast; and he
made a favorable report of the Cape Fear. Soon afterwards, the
New England colonists arrived, but, learning of Hilton’s visit,

 

Exploration and Settlement d1

thought it best not to make a settlement at that time; so they
turned loose their cattle on the island and left a paper in a box
Stating that it was a bad place for a settlement. Vassall now
again sent Hilton and with him Anthony Long and Peter
Fabian to make a more thorough examination.

On Monday, October 12, 1663, the Adventurer came to anchor
a second time in what they called “The Cape Fair Roads,” and
then the explorers proceeded to examine the lands along the
river. Their “main river” was our Northeast. They called the
Northwest branch, the Hilton, and the “Cut-off,” the Green.
They ascended both branches about seventy-five miles and were
much pleased. Along the main river, they named Turkey Quar-
ter, Rocky Point, and Stag Park, names that have been perpetu-
ated to this day.

While these explorations were being made, the King granted
the whole country south of Virginia to the Lords Proprietors,
and the promoters of the proposed colony, both in New England
and in Barbadoes, applied to the Lords Proprietors for terms of
settlement. These gentlemen sought to foster the enterprise, and
in compliment to the King named the river, the Charles, and the
town to be built, Charlestown, and the region they called Clar-
endon County. Eventually, the New England Association, John
Vassall and his friends at Barbadoes, and Henry Vassall and the
other London merchants who were to supply the colony, were all
brought into a common enterprise; and on May 24, 1664, the
first settlers disembarked at the junction of the river and Town
Creek, about twenty miles from the bar. These were followed
by accessions from New England and Barbadoes until the num-
ber of colonists reached six hundred. John Vassall was ap-
pointed the surveyor and was the chief man in the colony, being
the leading promoter of the enterprise, while Henry Vassall
Managed affairs at London. The Proprietors, however, selected
as governor the man they thought of greatest influence at Bar-
badoes, Col. Johrt Yeamans; and the King, to show his favor
to the colony, conferred on Yeamans the honor of knighthood.
He also made a gift to the colony of cannon and munitions for
defense. In November, 1665, Sir John reached the colony, and
shortly thereafter the first assembly on the Cape Fear was held.
There was already a war with the Indians, arising, according to
some accounts, from the bad faith of the Massachusetts men who
had sold into slavery some Indian children, as well as the adult
Indians they were able to take prisoners. There was also dis-